Horse&#39;s bit



Aug. "15, 1944f R. A. cARsoN HoRsE's BIT Filed Feb. 8, 1944 INVEN TOR. flaw/P712 (kayo/y ArroRnEY Patented Aug. 15, 1944 I UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE l I 2,355,704 v I l HORSES Bra. Robert A. Carson, Denver, Colo. Application February 8, 1944, Serial No. 521,747

' 51 Claims.

This invention relates to a hackamore bit for horses, and while valuable as a bit for any use, it is more particularly designed as a breaking and training bit, and has forits principal object the provision of a bit consisting of a single unitary metallic member which will not require the insertion of any. metal into the horses mouth; which will not require a nose band or halter; which will not injure the mouth in any way; and yet which will be highly effective in subduing, controlling and training the mount.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efliciency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the improved bit, as it would appear in use;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged rear view thereof, as it would appear when viewed from the arrow 2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the mouth piece of the improved bit; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an alternate form thereof.

The improved bit employs a single unitary metal member so shaped as to provide at its extremities two rein levers l0, terminating in rein rings II to which reins 12 are secured. The levers l are formed at their upper extremities into cheek plates l3, which, when in use, lie against the cheeks of the horse at each side of its mouth. From each cheek plate l3, the metal member extends first rearwardly, as shown at I4, thence loops downwardly to form a U-shaped jaw curb l5 which passes, beneath the lower jaw of the horse.

The above described unitary metal member is held in place by means of a flexible mouth piece consisting of a looped strap having a relatively wide mouth portion l6 which is pivotally secured at each side to the cheek plates l3 by means of suitable rivets I! or in any other desired manner. The extremities of the strap, indicated at l8, are narrower than the mouth portion I6. One extremity depends from each rivet I! and the two extremities are designed to be buckled together beneath the lower jaw of the horse by means of, a suitable buckle I9.

When the bit is in position, the mouth portion 16 of the strap is placed back of the bridle teeth of the horse, and the buckle i9 is drawn relatively snug beneath the lowerjaw. The strap cannot become displaced, due to the facttthat it cannot pass over the bridle teeth and it cannot be shifted sidewise by rein pull due to the enlarged cheek plates l3.

beneath the tongue. q

When in place with the reins loose, the bit assumes the approximate position shownin Fig. 1 1, with the curb [5 out of contact with the jaw.

Should it be desired to restrain the animal, the reins are drawn upon, causing the metal member to rotate about the pivot rivets I! to bring the curb l5 against the lower jaw bone. Considerable pressure can be exerted here causing sufficient pain and discomfort to quickly subdue the animal. Should the mount have the habit of throwing or tossing his head, this will result in swinging the levers l 9, causing the curb to hammer the lower jaw bone. The discomfort caused by this hammering soon causes the animal to discontinue the head tossing.

It has been found that due to the mildness and comfort of this bit, the horses do not object to its use and, since the strap is relatively thin, it can be quickly and easily put in place with very little mouth opening. Since no metal contacts the mouth or tongue, all damage and discomfort resulting from weather-chilled or sun-heated bits is eliminated.

In Fig. 4 an alternate form of the same bit is illustrated for use where four reins are desired such as for training gaited horses and the like. In this form strap openings 20 are provided in the cheek plates so that a halter or nose band can be attached thereto. Upper rein openings 2| are also provided in th cheek plates to allow a second set of reins to be attached thereto.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A horses bit comprising: a single, unitary metallic member; a downwardly extending lever formed on each extremity of said member; means for attaching reins to the lower extremities of said levers; a U-shaped curb formed by said mem- The strap may be placed over the tongue to correct an animal having a tongue hanging habit, but it is intended to be placed ber connecting the upper extremities of said levers and adapted to pass beneath the lower jaw of a horse; cheek plates formed in said member connecting each lever with an extremity of said curb and being positioned to lie flat against the checks of the horse; and means for pivotally supporting said cheek plates.

2. A horses bit comprising: a single, unitary metallic member; a downwardly extending lever formed on each extremity of said member; means for attaching reins to the lower extremities of said levers; a U-shaped curb formed by said member and adapted to pass beneath the lower jaw of a horse; cheek plates formed in said member connecting each lever with an extremity of said curb and being positioned to lie flat against the cheeks of the horse; pivot means passing through each cheek plate; and a looped strap secured to said pivot means and extending between the opposite cheek plates.

3. A horses bit comprising: a single, unitary metallic member; a downwardly extending lever formed on each extremity of said member; means for attaching reins to the lower extremities of said levers; a U-shaped curb formed by said member and adapted to pass beneath the lower jaw of a horse; cheek plates formed in said member connecting each lever with an extremity of said curb and being positioned to lie flat against the cheeks of the horse; pivct means passing through each cheek plate; and a looped strap secured to said pivot means and extending between the opposite cheek plates; and means for attaching said strap about the lower jaw of a horse. ll

4. A horses bit comprising: a single, unitary metallic member; a downwardly extending lever formed on each extremity of said member; means for attaching reins to the lower extremities of said levers; a U-shaped curb formed by said member connecting the upper extremities of said levers and adapted to pass beneath the lower jaw of a horse; cheek plates formed in said member connecting each lever with an extremity of said curb and being positioned to lie flat against the checks of the horse; and means for pivotally supporting said cheek plates; said curb extending first rearwardly from said cheek plates, thence looping downwardly so as to form a bow to extend beneath the lower jaw of the horse.

5. A horse's bit comprising: a single, unitary metallic member; a downwardly extending lever formed on each extremity of said member; means for attaching reins to the lower extremities of said levers; a U-shaped curb formed by said member connecting the upper extremities of said levers and adapted to pass beneath the lower jaw of a horse; cheek plates formed in said member connecting each leverwith an extremity of said curb and being positioned to lie fiat against the cheeks of the horse; and means for pivotally supporting said cheek plates, said curb extending first rearwardly from said cheek plates, thence looping downwardly so as to form a bow to extend beneath the lower jaw of the horse, there being openings in said cheek plates for, securing straps thereto if desired.

ROBERT A. CARSON. 

